Hingis undaunted at first-round clash with Henin

Martina Hingis is undaunted at having to play former world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne in the first round of the Sydney International today.

Hingis, who retired in 2002 with ankle and foot injuries, made her return to competitive tennis last week at the Australian hardcourt championships on the Gold Coast.

The 25-year-old Swiss, herself a former top-ranked player, made the semi-finals before losing to Italian Flavia Pennetta in three sets and sustaining a hip injury in the process.

"Win or lose, Melbourne (Australian Open) is the main tournament, so it's going to be a match just like any other," Hingis told reporters of her first-round encounter with the Belgian world number eight.

"I'll just try to get the best out of it and just get ready for Melbourne.

"I think generally it's easier to play somebody like this first round than later in the draw... sooner or later I have to play a top 10 player, better sooner than later."

Hingis played Henin-Hardenne twice in 2000, when the Belgian was still making her way through the ranks, with the Swiss holding the advantage 2-0, and she refused to rule out her chances after three years out of the game.

"She's faster, but I wouldn't necessarily say she has a better game," she added of Henin-Hardenne.

Adelaide final (men): Serra bt Malisse 6-3 6-4.

Chennai Open (men): Ljubicic bt Moya 7-6 6-2.